Barbara Bush Foundation Celebration of Reading

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Best-selling authors Jan Karon, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills and Christina Diaz Gonzalez will join the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy for the 18th annual Florida Celebration of Reading on Friday, Feb. 16 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs.

Since 2001, the Florida Celebration of Reading, founded by former Gov. Jeb Bush and his wife, Columba, has raised more than $26 million in support of family literacy programs of the Barbara Bush Foundation that help children and their parents improve their literacy skills.

The annual event is led by Jeb Bush, Jr., Celebration of Reading Co-Chairs Fred and Autumn Karlinsky and Fred and Stephanie Pezeshkan, who will be joined by state, education, business and community leaders including Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart, Congressman Carlos Curbelo, Senator Kathleen Passidomo, Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, Representative Matt Caldwell and Representative Michael Bileca.

Celebration of Reading authors will read from their works during the event and sign books after the celebration dinner.

Karon is the author of 14 novels, including the popular Mitford series, and was honored with the Library of Virginia's Literary Lifetime Achievement Award.

A recalibrated warrior, motivational speaker, activist and author, Mills’ memoir “Tough as They Come” is a New York Times best-seller.

Recipient of the Florida Book Award and American Library Association’s Best Fiction for Young Adults Award, acclaimed children’s author Gonzalez has written “The Red Umbrella,” “A Thunderous Whisper” and “Moving Target.”

During the Celebration of Reading, one of the nation’s most steadfast voices for literacy – the Dollar General Literacy Foundation – will be recognized with the Barbara Bush Foundation Champion for Literacy Award.

Funds raised from the annual Florida Celebration of Reading help support programs of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, including Teen Trendsetters, a high-impact program that pairs teen mentors with first- or second-grade students who are, on average, half a year behind in reading.

Sponsorships are available and include exclusive events, such as a private, intimate luncheon with members of the Bush family and guest authors, a VIP reception, and preferred seating at the reading event and dinner.

Individual tickets are $250 and include the reading program and dinner. For more information about Celebration of Reading or to purchase tickets, visit www.BarbaraBush.org/events.

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is the nation’s leading advocate for family literacy. The Foundation was established by Mrs. Barbara Bush in 1989, and today is a public charity that aspires to achieve a vision of fostering the opportunity for every man, woman and child to secure a better life through literacy. To learn more about the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy’s commitment to promote family literacy in homes across America, please visit www.BarbaraBush.org or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter (@BarbaraBushFdn).